Jakarta: Indonesia's former president Megawati Sukarnoputri named late
Friday a notorious former special forces general, Prabowo Subianto, as her
running mate for July presidential elections.

The Megawati-Prabowo ticket is being touted as the biggest rival to
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is seeking re-election for a
second five-year term.

"We'd like to work together and make Indonesians more prosperous
through our populist vision and mission," Megawati said.

Prabowo's Gerindra Party, which has a populist economic ideology, is a
newcomer in Indonesia's political arena.

Megawati, who heads the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, or PDI-P,
gained a reputation for inaction during her 2001-2004 presidential term.

Opinion polls showed that Megawati lagged behind Yudhoyono, who has
named central bank Gov. Boediono as his running mate, for the presidential
elections.

Yudhoyono's Democrats won 21% of ballots cast in April 9 legislative
polls, nearly tripling their total from 2004 and becoming the strongest
party in parliament.

PDI-P secured 14% of the votes while Gerindra had about 5.5%.

Megawati is the daughter of the country's founder, former president
Sukarno.

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Kalla-Wiranto, the first candidates to register at KPU []

the Jakarta Post Saturday, 16 May 2009

Jakarta: Jusuf Kalla and his running mate Wiranto registered themselves
as presidential and vice presidential candidates at the General Elections
Commission (KPU) Saturday morning, becoming the first official pair of
presidential candidates.

Kalla arrived at the KPU office at around 10 a.m., escourted by local
traditional music performances, including Islamic-themed "rebana"
and Jakarta-native music Tajidor.

Later in the day, the pair of Megawati Soekarnoputri and Prabowo
Subianto is scheduled to come to KPU at around 1 p.m.

Then, the pair of incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and
Boediono will register themselves at the KPU at around 3 p.m.

Saturday is the last day for the presidential candidates to register at
the KPU.

The three pairs of presidential candidates will contest the upcoming
presidential elections on July 8.